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Resources

What to consider before purchasing a Mobility Scooter?

There are a few different types of mobility scooters. Standard, Portable (Pull-Apart) and Travel (Foldable) scooters, all are suitable for the specific use they were designed for.

Standard mobility scooters are more suitable for outdoor use and depending on whether you get a small, medium, large or larger model, will depend on the criteria of your requirements, such as expected gradients, users weight, distance require to cover and the expected terrain.

In generally, the bigger the hills and rougher the terrain that is needed to be transverse, the bigger the scooter will need to be. Portable scooter are ideal for putting in the back of a car and can be used in areas with small gradients and smooth terrain going the shopping centres, day trips to generally flattish areas. Whereas the Travel scooter has been designed to suit the traveller on cruises for example but to some extent can be put in the back of a car and used as a portable scooter as it would have basically similar operational limitations.

Consider the following before purchasing a Standard Mobility Scooter:

Is there access to safe and adequate footpaths to all key destinations I need to reach?

Does the scooter have enough range to get where I needs to go?

Can the scooter fit through doorways?

Does I have to cross many main roads? Is it safe to do so?

Where will the scooter be stored? It will need to be parked somewhere safe and within reach of a power point to recharge the battery?

What inclines do I need to go up and how steep are they?

What is the terrain like – rough roads, big curbs etc.?

Do I have to have a Driverâ€™s Licence to drive a Mobility Scooter in Queensland?

No, you are not required to have a licence but you must have a doctorâ€™s certificate verifying that owing to severe mobility impairment there is a need for assisted travel i.e. you need a mobility scooter/wheelchair to get around.

Fees and Charges for Registration

There are no fees for registration or compulsory third party (CTP) insurance for mobility scooters. However, free CTP insurance is provided by the Nominal Defendant, if the mobility scooter is registered.

The Nominal Defendant is a statutory body established under the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 for the purpose of compensating people who are injured as a result of the negligent driving of unidentified and/or uninsured (no compulsory third party insurance) motor vehicles.

We do recommend that you have an insurance policy to cover personal injury and damage to your scooter. You can find more information in our resource section under insurance

Scooter/Wheelchair Registration

The following information is required to register your scooter in Queensland;

A Vehicle Registration Application form (F3518)

A Vehicle Details form (F3529)

A Motorised Wheelchair Statement form (F4414)

The evidence of the vehicleâ€™s origin â€“ former registration papers or purchase receipt

Evidence of personal identification â€“ Queensland driver licence. Other means of ID can be found at Evidence of Identity Information Sheet (F4362)

We do recommend that you get a doctors letter and find your Driving Licence No. or Customer Reference No.from Queensland Transport, we can assist with the rest of the registration paperwork if needed.

Queensland Road rules for Mobility Scooters

The driver must be capable of operating the machine safely and must observe all Queensland Road Rules as well as those relating to pedestrians. The definition of â€˜pedestrianâ€™ in the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (p. 528) includes references to motorised wheelchair.

Queensland Road Rules include:

Giving way to other road users on a path or nature strip

Exercising due care and attention for the safety of others at all times

Driving on the footpath or nature strip at all times and only using the road when the footpath or nature strip is not suitable

If driving on the road you must drive as close to the side of the road as possible and face oncoming traffic (except for a one-way street)

Using the most direct route available when crossing a road

Traveling at no faster than 10km/h

Driving on the road alongside no more than one other pedestrian or vehicle traveling in the same direction, unless it is necessary to overtake other pedestrians comply with other road rules as they apply to pedestrians

Mobility Scooter Safety

Users should take care when riding mobility scooters and observe the following safety guidelines:

General

Stay within the legal speed limit of 10 km/h.

Be aware that taking medication or driving under the influence of alcohol may affect the userâ€™s judgement.

If you are carrying parcels, ensure that the load will not over-balance your motorised mobility device and that the parcels do not interfere with your controls or vision.

Protective gear

Always make sure that you are clearly visible, particularly at night or on dull daysâ€”use the lights and reflectors and install a reflective safety flag at a height detectable to motorists.

Wear a bicycle helmet whenever possible.

Pedestrians and footpaths

Slow down when you are near other people, especially pedestrians and cyclists.